In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, give your diet a shot of green! Green veggies, that is.

Vegetables colored in deep green are your best bet: They’re a good source of essential vitamins and minerals – such as vitamins A, C and K, fiber and potassium – that help keep your body running in tip-top shape. Opt for broccoli, spinach, romaine lettuce, Brussels sprouts and kale. These veggies are also rich in antioxidants, compounds that fight disease-causing free radicals.

Here are a few tips for incorporating veggies into your diet:

Mix veggies in omelets and casseroles. If you don’t like the taste of vegetables, disguise them in omelets and casseroles. Add spinach, peppers, green beans and whatever else might go well with the dish you’re preparing. This is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies too!

Eat raw veggies for a late-night snack. Who doesn’t get late-night cravings? Everyone does! And the best way to satisfy those cravings is with raw veggies. They’re low in calories, high in fiber and have almost no effect on blood sugar and insulin. And if you’re not crazy about plain raw vegetables, dip ’em! Try asparagus or broccoli in light Italian dressing.

Fill half of your plate with veggies. This one is for those who enjoy vegetables, yet still struggle to get the recommended number of servings each day. Try filling half of your dinner plate with veggies from now on. You’ll get a good three servings of fiber while lightening the overall caloric load of your meal. Great for health, and even better for weight loss!